The comedian has been publicly implicated in the Savile scandal over the past month but has strongly denied the accusations.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Officers working on Operation Yewtree have this evening, Thursday 1 November, arrested a man in his 60s in connection with the investigation. The man, from Warwickshire, was arrested at approximately 17.45hrs on suspicion of sexual offences, and has been taken into police custody locally."

The spokesman said the arrest falls under the strand of the investigation termed "Savile and others". Last month Starr branded Savile "despicable" and "disgusting" and urged police to interview him so he could clear his name.

His arrest follows that of Gary Glitter on Sunday by officers working on Operation Yewtree. The ex-pop star was questioned at a London police station after being detained at his home in the capital. Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was photographed leaving Charing Cross police station later that day but Scotland Yard did not comment on his release.

Savile, who died last year at the age of 84, is now believed to have been one of the UK's most prolific abusers, with about 300 possible victims. Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation into the television and radio star's activities.

Detectives are following 400 lines of inquiry while the BBC has launched an inquiry into the culture and practices at the corporation in the era of Savile's alleged sexual abuse. It is also looking at the decision-making process which saw a Newsnight investigation into Savile's activities shelved.

The review, led by Nick Pollard, former head of Sky News, will report back on its findings later this month, it was announced.

It has also emerged that Savile's estate, reportedly worth £4.3 million, has been frozen. NatWest Bank, which is acting as the Jim'll Fix It presenter's will executor and trustee, said the distribution of his assets had been put on hold because of the allegations.